Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens or Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the seventh entry in the Star Wars film series. It is the first film of the Sequel Trilogy, which will include Episodes VIII and IX. It is the first Star Wars film to be produced by Disney, and the first since Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi to be directed by someone other than George Lucas. J. J. Abrams directed the film, and Lawrence Kasdan, who was also a writer for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, co-wrote the screenplay for Episode VII with Abrams. The film was released on December 18, 2015, making it the first film in the main series and the second film overall (with the first being 2008's The Clone Wars), to not be released in May.

Contents

Plot

30 years after the Battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker vanishes. Meanwhile, an organization known as the First Order forms from the remnants of the Empire. To counter, the Republic forms the Resistance, lead by General Leia Organa. On the planet Jakku, Resistance pilot Poe Dameron's droid, BB-8, carries a map that leads to the location of Luke Skywalker. However, troops from the First Order, lead by Kylo Ren, arrive and capture Poe, but not before BB-8 escapes. Eventually, BB-8 meets Rey, a scavenger. A stormtrooper named Finn helps Poe escape the First Order, and the two take off in a TIE Fighter, and crash land on Jakku. Poe is presumed dead while Finn meets Rey and BB-8. Finn, Rey, & BB-8 escape Jakku in the Millennium Falcon, and eventually meet Han Solo and Chewbacca. It is revealed that Kylo Ren is actually the son of Han and Leia, his real name being Ben Solo. Eventually, they make their way to the Resistance, where Han and Leia reunite. However, it's revealed that Starkiller Base, belonging to the First Order, is actually a weapon many times more powerful that either Death Star. Rey is captured by Kylo Ren while Han, Chewbacca, and Finn go to Starkiller Base to rescue her as well as assist in a mission to destroy the base. Han makes an attempt to get Kylo Ren to renounce the Dark Side. However, Han Solo is killed by Kylo Ren. Using Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber, which had been in possession of one of Han's contacts. Finn tries to fight Kylo Ren. Initially, he does well, as Ren had been shot by a bowcaster earlier. During the fight, Kylo Ren repeatedly hits his wound to draw on the pain in order to keep him centered to the dark side. However, Kylo Ren defeats Finn. Rey takes over, and holds him at bay. They are saved by Chewbacca. It's revealed that R2-D2 had another portion of the map to find Luke. Rey and Chewbacca go to an unknown planet where Luke is waiting for Rey.

Reception

The Force Awakens has received near-universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. It has a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Adam Driver's portrayal of Kylo Ren has garnered great reaction, with many fans saying that it's how Anakin Skywalker should have been in the Prequel Trilogy. It is the highest-grossing film in North America, surpassing James Cameron's 2009 film, Avatar. As of February 9, 2016, it's worldwide gross is over $2 billion.

Home Release

The film was released for Digital Download on April 1, 2016 and Blu-Ray on April 5, 2016. On January 5, 2016, Starz announced they had secured the rights to air the film on their networks after the film leaves theaters.[1]